The Mercedes-Benz Vans division of German automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has agreed a deal to become the main sponsor of the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) mountain bike discipline.
The three-year deal runs from 2018 to 2020 and names Mercedes-Benz as the presenting sponsor of the Mountain Bike World Championships and title sponsor of the Mountain Bike World Cup.
Mercedes-Benz will also work alongside the organisers of every UCI World Championships and every round of the UCI World Cup series by providing a fleet of its range of X-Class pick-ups to help with course preparation. V-Class multi-purpose vehicles will also be provided.
The partnership is designed to support the launch of Mercedes-Benz Vans’ X-Class series.
UCI president David Lappartient said: “This partnership provides an excellent opportunity for us to accelerate the development of mountain bike, one of our flagship disciplines. Our events will benefit from the brand's global reputation and knowledge. That a manufacturer of the calibre of Mercedes-Benz has chosen to invest in cycling is evidence that our sport is attractive to major economic players, who select our events to launch their new products.”
Following the Swiss watchmaker Tissot with track cycling, and Belgian pay-television broadcaster Telenet with cyclo-cross, Mercedes-Benz Vans becomes the third title sponsor of a UCI World Cup.